7 Weeks After Miles' Departure, Kansas' New AD Goff May Be Closing In On a Hire

April 25, 2021 by Staff

As of April 26, it's been seven weeks since the mess at Kansas came to a head and there is still no permanent head coach of the program.

According to thescoop.com, the candidates include Emmett Jones (interim head coach), as well as Army’s Jeff Monken, Buffalo’s Lance Leipold, Tulane’s Willie Fritz and Eastern Michigan’s Chris Creighton. FootballScoop noted that many of the candidates have strong ties to the state of Kansas or the Midwest overall. Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lanning, Texas A&M defensive coordinator Mike Elko, Iowa State offensive coordinator Tom Manning and Illinois associate head coach Kevin Kane are also on the wish list.

To review, Les Miles was forced out by Kansas on March 8, and then secured athletic director Jeff Long's agreement to depart two days later. On March 11, the school named Emmett Jones, a three-year assistant with the program, as interim head coach. Kurt Watson served as interim AD until Travis Goff was hired on April 7. Offensive coordinator Mike DeBord had been serving as 'acting' head coach ever since Miles was put on administrative leave two days prior. DeBord was among those interviewed for the interim position.

The dust-up began when USA Today uncovered previous allegations of misconduct by Miles at LSU, centered around complaints by female students. After an internal investigation at LSU was concluded in 2013, then-athletic director Joe Aleva recommended Miles be fired but the school instead reportedly banned him from communicating with, or being alone with, female students. Miles was fired 3 years later after a 2-2 start to the 2016 football season. Kansas was 0-9 last season under Miles and just 3-18 in his two seasons in Lawrence. His teams were 1-16 in Big 12 play. For his career, Miles won-loss record is 145-73 overall.